Video released in 2013 fatal Chicago police shooting — VIDEO

A federal judge ruled on Thursday that video footage of a fatal Chicago police shooting of a black teenager in 2013 can be released as protesters renewed criticism of Mayor Rahm Emanuel for the handling of police killings.

Judge rules video can be released in 2013 Chicago police shooting (CBS Chicago/Inform)

By Mary Wisniewski Reuters

January 14, 2016 - 12:45 pm

In the wake of the US Justice Departmen decision to investigate the Chicago Police Department, the city's mayor, Rahm Emanuel, has announced a series of measures, including expanding the police body camera program and establishing a task force to review police discipline procedures.

A police officer watches protesters during a demonstration outside the office of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in Chicago, Illinois, United States, December 7, 2015. REUTERS/Jim Young

CHICAGO — A federal judge ruled on Thursday that video footage of a fatal Chicago police shooting of a black teenager in 2013 can be released as protesters renewed criticism of Mayor Rahm Emanuel for the handling of police killings.

Images from neighborhood surveillance cameras showing the killing of Cedrick Chatman, 17, in January 2013 had been sealed under a protective order.

The video was released Thursday afternoon.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman comes with Emanuel and the police department already under pressure in the 2014 fatal police shooting of another teenager. The video of that killing was not released until last November.

Gettleman said at a hearing on Thursday that releasing the Chatman videos would not interfere with finding impartial jurors for a civil suit brought by the teenager’s family.

Lawyers for the city said they would distribute the video later on Thursday.

Protesters at Thursday’s hearing called for Emanuel more action to reform the police department.

For weeks protesters have been demanding Emanuel step down over his handling of the 2014 police killing of Laquan McDonald, 17. Activists also want State’s Attorney Anita Alvarez, who blocked release of the McDonald video for a year, to resign.

Black pastors and community leaders said they would boycott Emanuel’s annual Martin Luther King prayer breakfast on Friday to protest the city’s handling of police shootings.

Lawyers for Chatman’s mother, who brought the lawsuit against the city over her son’s shooting, say the videos contradict statements by police that Chatman, a carjacking suspect, had pointed a dark object at them.

An attorney for the police officers said the videos will support their story.